Funtime Bayama and Nijinsky posted strong performances to win Somebeachsomewhere Stakes divisions on the Saturday (June 1) card at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The Somebeachsomewhere serves as the final prep ahead of next Saturday’s Pepsi North America Cup eliminations. A group of 19 three-year-old pacers were split into a pair of divisions for the Grand Circuit event.
Funtime Bayama fired back after a runner-up finish in last week’s Ontario Sires Stakes Gold division to win the $84,000 first “Beach” split in 1:49.1. Race-favourite and top Cup contender Legendary Hanover turned in a wicked :25.3 last-quarter, but had to settle for second after rallying from sixth.
A gelded son of Hes Watching, Funtime Bayama and Sylvain Filion went coast-to-coast for the lifetime-best victory, kicking home in :26.1 after a well-rated middle-half. Legendary Hanover finished 2-1/4 lengths back, while Fast Louie was third.
“Last week he raced awesome, he just got out sprinted but I was real pleased with him last week,” Filion said “I was counting on (Legendary Hanover) to come and cover me up but I didn’t see what was happening behind. When I saw the fractions I was pretty happy."
Richard Moreau trains Funtime Bayama for Bayama Farms. Saturday’s victory was the third in four starts this season and seventh overall for the sophomore, who now has over $386,000 in earnings.
Funtime Bayama paid $10.50.
The $83,000 second division saw Nijinsky flex his muscles for a sparkling 1:49 victory.
Driven by Louis Philippe Roy, Nijinsky made a move in the second quarter from third to overtake leader Captains Quarters in a :55 half. The pair would ride one-two around the far turn, hitting three-quarters in 1:22.3.
In the stretch, Captains Quarters angled out of the pocket to take his shot at the leader, but Nijinsky took it up a notch with a :26.2 kicker to win by 1-1/4 lengths. Newsroom finished third.
A son of Bettors Delight, Nijinsky is now a perfect three-for-three to start his three-year-old season for trainer Anthony Beaton.
"He's been great since he's been back,” Beaton said. “I find he really matured this year. Last year he had a bit of trouble at the gate and this year, as you've seen, you can push him out of there and he always gives us that kick home.”
Nijinsky is owned by West Wins Stable, John Fielding and Mark Dumain. The sophomore pacing colt now has $98,500 earned this season, boosting his career numbers to four wins and nearly $200,000 earned.
A $2 win ticket on Nijinsky returned $4.90.